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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Trent Meisenheimer
Issued by Trent Meisenheimer on
Monday morning, March 30, 2020
Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger persist primarily along the upper elevations on many aspects. Human triggered avalanches 12-18" deep are possible. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern, and avoid those areas.
If the intense March sun comes out today, you can bet the avalanche danger will instantly spike on steep sunny aspects. Keep an eye on the cloud cover and if the snow surface is staying dry and cold. Rollerballs are the first sign of unstable snow.
The best and safest riding remains on the sun and wind-sheltered slopes less than 35° in steepness.
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Special Announcements
If you rely on the UAC forecasts each day you get out, consider making a donation during our Spring Awareness Campaign to help us continue providing the avalanche forecasts and education you rely on.
The UAC encourages everyone to follow directions from state, city, and county officials. The following is from Joe Dougherty, spokesman for the Utah Division of Emergency Management:
Though outdoor recreation is still permitted under the governor’s Stay Safe/Stay Home directive, we recommend that people maintain a distance of at least 6 feet.
Be extra cautious to avoid injuries outdoors. We are working with our hospital systems to conserve as much personal protective equipment as possible in case of hospitalizations.
Most outdoor injuries can be prevented. Know the conditions and know your limits, so you don’t end up in a hospital.
Weather and Snow
Under mostly cloudy skies, the mountain temperatures are in the mid to upper 20's °F above about 7,500' across the board. Winds are blowing southwest 5-10 mph gusting to 15 mph across the upper elevation terrain. Ogden Peak is blowing southwest at speeds of 15-20 mph. Since Friday, we've picked up a trace to 4" of new snow.
For today, we can expect on and off again snow showers and, at times, partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will remain below freezing at elevations above about 8,500'. Winds are forecasted to pick up this morning and into the early afternoon with 9,000' ridgelines blowing southwest 10-20 mph.
The riding and turning conditions remain epic with soft powder on many aspects at the upper elevations. Aspects that were kissed by the sun will support a thin crust with 2-4" of new snow on top. At lower elevations, the snow is damp and manky.
Recent Avalanches
The string of human triggered avalanches continues in the backcountry. In the past five days, we've had 42 human triggered avalanches with 14 people being caught and carried between the SLC and Odgen mountains. Yesterday was no exception with another seven human-triggered slides and three people going for rides. We had two reports specifically for the Ogden area mountains listed below.
  • Farmington Lakes - 8,500' northeast facing 2.5' x 300' wide. (pic below)
  • Ogden Peak - 9,000' east facing natural wet loose avalanche.
Two very close calls occurred Saturday in the closed-for-the-season Snowbasin resort. Remember that ski areas are not doing control work and must be treated as the backcountry.
(More info found in the Menu bar above. Locations found on wbskiing.com).
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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
You'll still be able to trigger soft slab avalanches 12-18" deep and up to 100' wide on many aspects above about 9000'. Cracking and collapsing may not be evident as an easy clue to instability. Similarly, a quick hand pit or shovel test on this slope may not reveal much information about that slope. Many different weak layer interfaces are in play, and they vary with location to location.
HEADS UP: If the wind forecast verifies this afternoon, then we need to be on the lookout for fresh drifts of wind-blown snow. There is plenty of fresh snow for the wind to quickly whip up a new batch of wind slabs. Be willing to alter your plans and always update your on-the-snow forecast as springtime weather can drastically change the avalanche conditions.
Additional Information
Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.
New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
General Announcements
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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